Republic of Singapore Air Force Boeing F-15SG Strike Eagle fighter jet

The McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) F-15 Eagle is an American twin-engine, all-weather, tactical fighter jet designed to gain and maintain air supremacy in aerial combat.

First taking to the skies in 1972, and entering service in 1976, the F-15 is regarded as being among the most successful modern fighters, with over 100 victories and no losses in aerial combat. The majority of F-15 kills have been made by the Israel Air Force.

In addition to the US, Japan and Israeli air forces, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) also operate the F-15 and are maintained by 149 Squadron at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore.

In the training role, the RSAF also has a detachment of F-15 fighter jets based with 428th Fighter Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base in the United States.   

The variant operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force is the F-15SG Strike Eagle, and reportedly similar in configuration to the F-15K sold to South Korea, but differs in the addition of the APG-63(V)3 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar developed by Raytheon.

Since touching down at Rockhampton Airport on Friday, September 16, six RSAF F-15SG Strike Eagle fighter jets (8310, 8323, 8328, 8332, 8326 and 8327) have been participating in 'Exercise Wallaby 2016' and provided planespotters many opportunities to catch the aircraft in action as they depart to and arrive back from Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA).

Unfortunately, the final sortie from Rockhampton associated with 'Exercise Wallaby 2016' was flown on Thursday, September 29. Information suggests the RSAF F-15SG fighter jets will now remain parked at Rockhampton until departing on Monday, October 03, presumably back to Singapore.

It is worth mentioning the RSAF F-15 fighter jets have had a busy schedule during their visit to Australia over the past few weeks with eight Strike Eagle's participating in 'Pitch Black 2016' in the Northern Territory. From here, six of the fighter's flew south to RAAF Base Amberley where they trained alongside the F/A-18F Super Hornet before eventually flying to Rockhampton for 'Exercise Wallaby 2016'.

 

Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopters

We have certainly been enjoying ourselves at Air Queensland.blogspot providing coverage of 'Exercise Wallaby 2016', and on this occasion, have dedicated an entire page of photo's featuring the four Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopters currently based at Rockhampton Airport / Warriors Camp.

The RSAF Apache helicopters are utilising Warriors Camp for the duration of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) military exercise that is primarily conducted at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area (SWBTA) north of Rockhampton. However, most RSAF aircraft and helicopters taking part in 'Exercise Wallaby 2016' generally spend most of the time based at Rockhampton Airport or Warriors Camp, but ferry to and from SWBTA.     

Of interest, Warriors Camp is the Australian Army Defence Support Group Facility (DSG) adjacent to Rockhampton Airport, and has been temporarily named 'Warriors Camp' while used by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

Operated by 120th Squadron at Sembawang Air Base, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) currently maintains a modest fleet of 20 Apache helicopters (among other types of military choppers) with their primary role being 'Anti-Armour and Ground Support'. Armament include AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 rockets and a single 30mm M320 chain gun.

Over the years, the Apache has been built by a number of manufactuers :

 

Hughes Helicopters  (1975 to 1984)

 

McDonnell Douglas (1984 to 1997)

 

Boeing Defense, Space and Security (1997 to present)